Whale makes epic migration, astonishing scientists

A remarkable event has taken place in the world of marine biology, as a humpback whale has completed one of the longest migrations ever recorded. This incredible journey has astonished scientists, who believe it may be linked to climate change. The whale was first spotted off the Pacific coast of Colombia in 2017, and then, several years later, it reappeared near Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean. This means the whale traveled a staggering distance of at least 13,000 kilometers! Experts suggest that this extraordinary migration could be due to climate change affecting food availability or possibly a quest to find a mate. Ekaterina Kalashnikova, a researcher with the Tanzania Cetaceans Program, expressed her amazement, stating that this feat is 'truly impressive and unusual even for this highly migratory species. ' The accompanying photograph shows the same whale captured in 2022, off the coast of Zanzibar. Dr. Kalashnikova believes that this is likely the longest distance a humpback whale has ever been recorded traveling. Humpback whales are known to inhabit all oceans around the globe. They undertake long migrations each year, moving from warm breeding grounds to cooler feeding areas. However, this particular male's journey was even more extraordinary, as it involved two distant breeding grounds. One theory suggests that climate change is altering the availability of the tiny shrimp-like krill that humpback whales rely on for food, forcing them to travel further in search of sustenance. Alternatively, it is possible that whales are exploring new breeding grounds as their populations recover due to global conservation efforts. Dr. Kalashnikova noted, 'While the actual reasons are unknown, among the drivers there might be global changes in the climate, extreme environmental events that are becoming more frequent, and evolutionary mechanisms of the species. ' A world map illustrates the whale's remarkable journey, highlighting three sighting locations: the Gulf of Tribugá in northern Colombia on July 10, 2013; Bahia Solano, approximately 78 kilometers from the first sighting, on August 13, 2017; and the Zanzibar channel off Fumba on August 22, 2019. The wandering male was part of a group of humpbacks photographed from a research vessel off the Pacific coast of Colombia in 2013. He was later identified in a similar area in 2017 and off Zanzibar in 2022. The sightings are separated by a minimum distance of 13,046 kilometers, although scientists believe the actual distance traveled may be much greater. Since the Earth is a sphere, the shortest path between two points is represented by the great circle distance, which corresponds to an arc linking two points on a sphere. The findings of this research are based on hundreds of thousands of photos of whales submitted by researchers, whale watchers, and members of the public to the citizen science website, happywhale. com. This database utilizes artificial intelligence to match the unique shapes and patterns of humpback whale tails, or flukes, allowing scientists to map their movements around the globe. The research has been published in a scientific journal, contributing to our understanding of these magnificent creatures. Humpback whales migrate annually from their summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding waters closer to the Equator. This fascinating story highlights the incredible journey of a whale that has traveled an astonishing distance, showcasing the wonders of nature and the importance of conservation efforts.